The mapping of archaeological sites in portuguese territorial planning.

Abstract

“Better information leads to better decisions". This is a true premise when applied to the use of geographic information systems in spatial and urban planning, due to their ability to generate, analyse and map geo-referenced data, which is essential to support decision-making processes. Our specific objective is to create dynamic heritage inventories by combining the tools of Geographical Information Systems with an archaeological recording protocol, which compiles and updates the information known and continuously produced in a given territory, and at the same time analyses and transforms it into a robust, constantly updated, sufficiently autonomous and transversal information base that can be useful to the actors who administratively manage the territory, to citizens and to archaeologists looking for a basis for building historical and cultural knowledge.